Executive Summary:
This document is the answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4807 concerning development activities along National Highways (NHs), specifically addressing concerns about NH66 in Kerala. It outlines the government's approach to NH development, consideration of local needs, and responses to requests for underpasses and flyovers. The response was provided on August 21, 2025, by the Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
Key Points / Main Content:
General NH Development:
* NH development is based on traffic density, connectivity needs, road condition, inter-se priority, and synergy with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP).
* Development includes service roads, slip roads, underpasses, drainage, and cross-passage structures to aid local connectivity.
* Way-side amenities are developed along NHs for travel convenience.
NH66 Development in Kerala:
* NH66 is being developed to a six-lane standard within a 45m Right of Way (ROW).
* Provisions for service roads, slip roads, flyovers, underpasses, and Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) are included.
* 181 additional cross-passage structures were provisioned, supplementing the 343 already in the Concession Contract Agreements.
Specific Underpass Requests on NH66:
* A Small Vehicular Under Pass (SVUP) has been provided at Neendakara (Km 484.592).
* A request for a Pedestrian Underpass at Km 484.300 in Neendakara was denied due to the proximity (292 meters) to the existing SVUP and site constraints; however, the section from Km 483.02 to Km 483.85 has been descoped for development of the said section through a fresh sanction.
* At Thirumukku, Chathanoor, an SVUP (7m x 4m) has been constructed at Km 506.670, in addition to a Flyover at Km 507.765 (less than 1 km away) and a Vehicular Under Pass at Km 504.558 connected by service roads.
Impact Analysis:
Local Populations Residing Near NHs:
* Impact: NH development aims to improve connectivity and ease of travel. The provision of underpasses, flyovers, and service roads seeks to address the needs of local populations regarding accessibility and safety.
* Action Required: Utilize the provided infrastructure (underpasses, service roads, etc.) for safe and efficient movement.
Vehicles Using NH66:
* Impact: The development of NH66 as a signal-free corridor should reduce travel time and improve traffic flow.
* Action Required: Adhere to traffic regulations and utilize the improved infrastructure for efficient travel.
Government of Kerala:
* Impact: The State Government is responsible for providing the 45m Right of Way (ROW) for the NH66 project.
* Action Required: Support and coordinate with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the implementation of NH development projects, including land acquisition and approvals for new development.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways:
* Impact: The Ministry is responsible for the planning, development, and maintenance of National Highways.
* Action Required: Continue to monitor the effectiveness of the implemented infrastructure and address any emerging issues or concerns raised by local populations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development of road transport and highways.
SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN: Member of Parliament who raised the question about development activities along National Highways.
ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS: The subject matter of the parliamentary question, concerning road transport and highway infrastructure.
NH66: National Highway 66, a major highway in India, specifically mentioned in relation to difficulties faced by the local population in Kerala.
Kerala: A state in India where the local population is facing difficulties related to NH66.
Neendakara: A location in Kerala where a pedestrian underpass construction request was considered.
Thirumukku, Chathannoor: A location in Kerala where an additional underpass construction request or widening of a proposed underpass was considered.
PM GatiShakti National Master Plan NMP: A national master plan for multi-modal connectivity infrastructure planning.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4807
ANSWERED ON 21ST AUGUST, 2025
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES ALONG NHS
4807. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार् ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to develop the National
Highways (NHs) considering the life and livelihood of the local
populations, if so, the action taken thereon;
(b) whether the Government implements the development activities
taking into consideration the needs of the local population, if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the
local population residing nearby NH-66 in Kerala and the vehicles
using NH-66 are facing difficulties due to lack of sufficient
underpasses and the increasing number of signal lights on the NH;
(d) if so, the action taken to provide flyovers and underpasses as
required thereon; and
(e) whether the Government considers the request for constructing
a pedestrian underpass at Neendakara and an additional underpass
at Thirumukku or widening the proposed underpass at Thirumukku,
Chathannoor on NH-66 in Kollam Lok Sabha Constituency and if so,
the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) and (b) Infrastructure sector is the prime mover of the economy
and contributes to faster economic and social growth and
development. Development of National Highways (NHs) is
accordingly taken up based on the traffic density, connectivity
requirement, condition of the road, inter-se priority and synergy with
PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP). Development works on
NHs include provisions for Service Roads / Slip Roads, Under Passes,
Longitudinal Drainages and Cross Passage structures, wherever
feasible, to ensure ease of connectivity to the local traffic /
population as per their needs. Government in Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways also develops Way Side Amenities along
NHs for ease of travel for the people.
(c) and (d) Government has taken up development of NH-66 to Six
Lane standard as signal free corridor within the restricted Right of
Way (ROW) of 45m provided by the State Government of Kerala.
Accordingly, necessary facilities like Service Roads / Slip Roads,
Flyovers, Underpasses and Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) have been
provisioned for ease of movement of the local traffic / population,
including 181 Nos. of cross passage structures provisioned through
Change of Scope in addition to 343 Nos. already provisioned in the
Concession / Contract Agreements.
(e) A Small Vehicular Under Pass (SVUP) has been provided at
Neendakara (Km 484+592) to facilitate pedestrian and vehicular
crossing. The request for a Pedestrian Underpass at Km 484+300 is
just 292 metres away from this facility. Accordingly, due to site
constraints, provision of two grade-separated crossings within such
close proximity is not technically feasible. However, keeping in view
the various demands, the section from Km 483.02 to Km 483.85 has
been descoped for development of the said section through a fresh
sanction.
At Thirumukku, Chathanoor, an SVUP (7m x 4m) has been
constructed at Km 506+670, in addition to a Flyover at Km 507+765,
which is less than 1 Km away, and a Vehicular Under Pass at Km
504+558 which are connected with Service Roads on both sides, to
take care of the local traffic requirements.
*****